Montvale-based Pathmark recently contributed $2,599.32 to Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters statewide through its Community Rewards program, helping more children get the mentors they need.

Community Rewards supports not-for-profits across New Jersey by allowing shoppers to select their charity of choice and earn money for that charity each time they shop. Community Rewards members also receive periodic discounts and exclusive coupons. Both Pathmark Advantage Club and Pathmark PERKS cards are eligible.

Shoppers can enroll and start creating change for local children by registering their Pathmark loyalty club cards at escrip.com/Pathmark and using the card each visit. When they do, Pathmark contributes 1% of each total purchase to the Big Brothers Big Sisters State Association of New Jersey, a consortium of the 9 Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters across the Garden State.

“In a down economy, every dollar sincerely helps as we continue to provide critical services to our children through the power of mentoring,” said Carlos Lejnieks, president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters State Association of New Jersey. “We are proud that so many people have chosen to ‘Start Something’ for our kids while shopping at Pathmark.”

The state association helps local chapters reduce the number of children waiting for mentors, and allows them to serve more New Jersey children than ever before. Currently, more than 5,000 New Jersey children across its 21 counties benefit from the caring influence of screened, supervised mentors through 1-to-1 friendships that change lives for the better, forever.

In recent years, the association has provided local chapters with more than $2 million in grants to provide mentoring services in their respective communities. Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s oldest and largest mentoring organization, has demonstrated its mission of providing children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change lives for the better, forever, for 110 years.